Improvement in book-sewing machines



'L :Ana-STIRO E 42 Sheets--Sheet 1`.

' Bonk--Sewi ng Machine.

PatentedfAug. 3,1875lV 2 S-heets--Sheet J. ARMSTRON G.

B uuk Sewing-Machine.

N0.166,329 PmenumAug.3,1875.

NAFETERS, FHQTO-LJTHGGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

UNITED STATES 'PATENT EErcE.,

JAMES ARMSTRONG, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOOK-SEWING MACHINES.`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 166,329. dated August 3, 1875 application filed March 9, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES ARMSTRONG, of Cambridge, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Book-Sewing Machine, of which the following is a full and clear specification', so that others skilled in the art to which it appertains can make and use the same.

Accompanying this specification are drawings illustrating what I consider the best mode of using my invention, and which are referred to by letters of reference, like letters referring to like parts, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bottom of the machine, showing the working parts. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of the birds-bill forceps.

The object of this invention is to make a machine which will facilitate the sewing of books in a rapid and substantial manner; and 1 it consists in a device for feeding the book or y signature 5 a device for drilling the holes. in the book or signature for the thread; and a stitchformaing mechanism, all combined and operating in an organized machine.

Referring to the drawingA is the base plate or bed of the machine, upon which is the bent arm B. This arm is divided into two branches, C C. Near its ends each is bifurcated and slotted to allow the upright standard D, carrying the drill and needle, to reciprocate, as hereinafter described. This standard receives its motion from the rod d attached to a wrist-pin, d1, on the eccentric- Wheel E on the main shaft O, which, in turn, receives motion in any ordinary ma-nner, as by means of a crank when driven by hand, or belts when power is used. The standard is provided at its base with a needle, i, carrying a thread, t", from spool i2. An upright drill is also attached to the standard, having bearings in the cross-pieces d3 d4, and a pulley, f, with a V-shaped groove, in which the driving-cord runs.

A rapid rotary motion is given to the drill by means of the endless cord f1 passing over the lazy-pul1eysf2f2 around the grooved pulley f, and thence around a suitable wheel on' the main driving-shaft.

This wheel should be of considerable diamter to insure a rapid rotary motion of the drill.

The drill, therefore, has two motionsa ver'- tically-reciprocatin g one with the standard D, and a rotary one produced as above described, so that it virtually drills the holes through the paper instead of punching them.

This I consider one of the most important features of the invention, for hitherto it has been impracticable to sew books on a machine of this character, for the reason that it Was impossible to make the holes through any considerable number of sheets of paper by punching or piercing the ordinary way; but vby the use of the rotary drill I am enabled to make the holes with ease, precision, and rapidity through any thickness used in pamphlet or signature form.

Another great obstacle in sewing books has been found in feeding the book or signature fast enough, so as to enable long stitches to be taken.

This I overcome by a device substantially as follows: M is a plate sliding in the grooved ways N on the under side of the bed-plate A. A reciprocating motion is given to this plate by the cam-wheel E bearing against the projecting arm or lug m1 on the under side of the plate, which moves it forward, and cam-wheel m2 on the main shaft bearing against the short arm l of the lever L pivoted to the stud L1, the long arm Z of which bears against the rear side of the arm or leg M1, and produces the return or backward movement of the plate. A slot, M3, is made in the plate to allow the Working of the stitch-forming mechanism.

An upright slotted standard, m, rises from this plate through a hole in the bed A, to which is attached the sliding lug m1, vertically adjustable by the thumb-screw m2. A frame, m5, preferably of metal, is pivoted, by means of the lugs m3, to the frame mi. To the end of this frame m5 is attached the metal strip or presser-foot m6, bent at the front end, and to the other end is attached the arm m7, carrying a friction-roll. This end of the frame is Vpressed downward by the spring m8, keeping the roil in contact with the bar h1. This, in connection with the bar m4, also attached to the plate M, acts as a clamp to feed the book or signature, in the manner hereinafter described.

A hinged arm, H, attached to the under side ot' the bed by the lugs h, is provided with a bar, hl, projecting through the bed-plate, and on its under side it is provided With an inclined metal strip, h2, bent, as shown, and made adjustable by the screw h3. The cam-wheel H1 bears against the arm, raising and lowering the bar h1. The book or signature being placed between the bars m4 m6, the cam H1 raises the bar h1, as before described, causing the bar m6 on frame m5 to clamp the book, when the cam E, operating against the lng m1, moves the plate M forwardthe length of the stitch, and with it the book. rIhe length of the stitch is regulated by the bent strip h2, for as that is 'moved it causes the barm6 to clamp the book a longer or shorter period. The bookhaving been fed forward, cam H1 allows the bar h1 to 'fa-ll, and the spring m8, bearing upon the frame m5, raises the bar m6 from the book, While at, the same time cam M2, by means of lever L,"

returns the plate M to its normal position. Meantime the standard D, carrying the drill and threaded needle, descends and drills one hole, forcing the needle through the previouslydrilled hole.

The stitch may be formed by any Well-known mechanism, but I preferwhatlcall the i birdsbill forceps. (Shown in Figs. 4 and 5.) These consist of lingers a b, pivoted, at al, to the lever S, operated by the cam S. The nger b is securely fastened tothe lever S, and is provided With an eye, a', through which the under thread may pass, if any is used. The finger a is provided with an extension, a2, which strikes against the pin a3, which operates as a means to open and close the forceps. The movement of the forceps is so timed that they 'will spread the under thread, so that, the needle descending, they will enter, withdraw, and

re-enter the loop formed by the upper thread, and thus lock the stitch. W'hen no under thread is used, the forceps are so moved as to retain the upper thread at their points,`an'd push it slightly forward, so as to be looped by the next descending movement of the needle. Having thus fully described the operation of what I consider the best manner of using my invention, I will state that the mechanism may be somewhat varied, and I do not Wish to limit myself to the exact mode described.

My machine may be used in sewing many other things as Well as books, but it is specially adapted for that use.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States, is-

l. In combination with a stitch forming mechanism, the reciprocating rotating drill, as and for the purpose described.

2. lIhe rotating drill F, provided with pulley f, in combination with the reciprocating standard D, carrying the needle t', as described.

3. The combination of the rotating drill E, reciprocating standard D, carrying the needle 'i and spool 2, with the rod d and cam-Wheel E on the main shaft, as described.

4. In combination with the stitch-forming mechanism, the reciprocating rotating drill F, and the intermittent feed mechanism, operating substantially as described.

5. The pivoted arm H, carrying the adjustable bent strip 11,2 and bar h1, in combination with cam-Wheel H1 and pivoted frame m5, whereby the length of the stitch Ais controlled, substantially as described.

6. The intermittent feed mechanism, consisting of the plate M, constructed substantially as described, provided with the bar m4 and standard m1, carrying the pivoted clamping.- bar m6, operating as described.

- JAMES ARMSTRONG. Witnesses:

B. W. BUGKNELL, M. A. ARMSTRONG. 

